A colorized version of a large article that appeared on the front page of the Lykens Standard, July 4, 1913, touting the Old Home Week celebration. The article featured the “Main Arch” at Main Street in Lykens, and portraits of Margaret Sheesley, Queen; George S. Smith, Chairman of Transportation; and George W. Parfet, Chairman of the Fireworks Committee.
THOUSANDS IN TOWN FOR OLD HOME WEEK
SURPRISED AT THE DECORATIONS AND ILLUMINATION
GRAND PARADES EACH DAY
GRAND FIREWORKS DISPLAY LAST NIGHT AND TONIGHT
Miss Margaret Sheesley of Lykens Chosen Queen
At 12 o’clock, midnight, Saturday, the ringing of church bells and the blowing of whistles of the various industries here [Lykens] and at Wiconisco ushered in Old Home week and since then the streets of the two towns have been crowded with present and former residents celebrating in a joyous but orderly manner the Diamond Jubilee of the discovery of coal here and Old Home Week. Sunday a union Sunday School session was held at the Chatauqua tent east of town at 3:30 p. m. which was attended by over 1,500 people. Monday was set apart for the reception of quests. Tuesday was Civic Day. The parade started promptly at 9 o’clock and marched over the prescribed route in the following order:
- Chief Marshal
- Wentzler Pony Team
- Queen Float
- Wiconisco Band
- Women Suffragettes
- Lykens Knitting and Manufacturing Company Float
- R. Coble & Sons Float
- Eagle Iron Works
- Lykens Mercantile Company
- Furman Brothers
- C. A. Hoff Float
- Helt Brothers
- Reiff & Helt
- Elizabethville Band
- Chip’s Bijou
- Atlantic Refining Company
- Fountain Springs Dairy
- W. O. Wiest Float
- Automobile containing oldest residents: Jacob Stein, 87; Emanuel Hoffman, 84; Thomas Fegley, 83
- The Globe Clothing House
- Keen & Kniley Hosiery Mill Float
- T. A. Hensel, Clothier
- Manhattan Supply Company & Employees
- T. B. Moyer & Grandchildren
- Lykens Supply & Manufacturing Company
- Hummel, House Furnishers, Pottsville
- Loyalton Band
- Eureka Club
- Hoff Hardware Float, Bath Fixtures
- H. E. Sheesley Float
- W. H. Kissinger & Company Float
- A. A. Rudisill‘s Float
WEDNESDAY – LABOR DAY PARADE
- Queen Float
- Loyalton Band
- Uncle Sam
- Old Citizens
- Keen & Kniley
- 3 Autos representing Mossip’s Mill
- Lykens Knitting & Manufacturing Company Float
- Everybody Works But Father Float
- Chip’s Moving Picture Float
- Wiconisco Band
- Liberty Hose Company
- First Aid Float
- Breaker Employees
- Elizabethville Band
- Local Union 1062
- Teamsters Union No. 222
- Carriage
- Darktown Band
- Darktown Float
THURSDAY – FRATERNAL DAY
- Marshal
- Colors
- Orwin Band
- Odd Felloes
- Marshal
- Berrysburg Band
- Drill Team
- Lykens P. O. S. of A. No. 248
- Wiconisco, P. O. S. of A., dressed in white carrying red, white and blue parasols, wearing red ribbon with Camp number on.
- Auto with Charter members: J. H. Keen; Samuel Alvord; Joseph Buchanan.
- Colors
- Lykens P. O. S. of A No 238 in white Suits, wearing regalias, carrying red, white and blue parasols.
- Little Red School House
- Elizabethville P. O. S. of A No. 110
- Marshal
- P. O. S. of A. Loyalton
- Wiconisco Band
- Knights of Golden Eagle carrying white parasols , and dressed in Kahki trousers and blue shirts.
- Colors
__________________________________________________
Article from Newspapers.com.
The “Darktown Band” referred to at the end of the second parade day, was usually composed of white residents in black-face. Many parades ended this way, i.e., emphasizing negative stereotypical behavior that they attributed to African Americans. The primary purpose was to get laughs.
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.